(_The noise and clatter recede continually, off Left. At length Slim advances cautiously to the door, Back, opens it and peers out. Jeff goes over and stands near him._) SLIM At de oder end-a de alley, now. JEFF See yo’ w’en yo’ runs? SLIM Sho’--! Slew-foot know me, too. He one-a dem. Liable ter come back dis way an’ search ev’y house. (_He opens the door wider and leans far out. A pale light filters in from Back. The silhouetted figures of the two men can be plainly seen. Jeff joins Slim in the doorway and peers out._) SLIM I’se gwine ter beat it. (_Slim darts off down the alley, Right. Jeff stands tensely deliberating for several moments. Finally he steps out, and with a swift movement closes the door after him. Almost immediately the door, Left, opens and a broad shaft of light falls across the room from the doorway, Left, to the wall, Right Back. Lucy Belle enters, followed closely by Chick. They leave the door open and pause, Right Back, in the full beat of the light._) CHICK (_as they move to Right, Back_) Oughter shot him in his tracks--! (_Taps his hip pocket._) LUCY BELLE (_shaking her head violently_) I done tol’ yo’ dat yo’ done right--stickin’ dere an’ keepin’ yo’ mouf shet. CHICK (_with simulated bravado_) Sartainly like ter git dat bird. LUCY BELLE Gawd, no! Don’ wan’ no killin’s ’roun’ yere. CHICK Yo’ bettah beat it. LUCY BELLE (_breathing quickly_) Ain’ no place ter go--. CHICK Plenty ob ’em--! Hun’erd’s--! LUCY BELLE Ain’--ain’ got no strenf--! (_Draws a hand across her forehead._) CHICK Buck up! Yo’ got ter git out-a yere--! LUCY BELLE Oh--oh, Gawd! Somefin’ like dis allas got ter happen. (_Chick skips over to the door, Back, opens it and peers up and down the alley._) LUCY BELLE See anabody--? CHICK (_shaking his head_) No. (_He closes the door and returns swiftly to her._) He liable ter come back any minute. LUCY BELLE Yo’ reckon so--? CHICK Sho’ as yo’ bawn! LUCY BELLE I kain’t go runnin’ ’roun’ de streets-- CHICK We kin go ter some place neah. LUCY BELLE --Not feelin’ like I does. CHICK Yo’ ain’ gwine ter stay yere an’ let him kill yo’! LUCY BELLE He ain’ gwine ter kill me! CHICK Damn soon see ef yo’ stick yere! LUCY BELLE Sho’ ter see us in de street. CHICK We got a chanct ter run dere. LUCY BELLE He’s some runner hisse’f. CHICK He ain’ gwine ter do nuffin’ outside--wid de cops aroun’. (_She deliberates._) Look at yo’! Tremlin’ like a leaf! LUCY BELLE (_with a little hysterical sob_) I know--I know-- CHICK Yo’ needs a good swig-a gin-- LUCY BELLE Ain’--ain’ got a bit in de house. CHICK Come on ovah ter Gerner’s-- LUCY BELLE Kain’t leave de chillen. CHICK (_with a little laugh--as though recalling her subterfuge with Jeff_) Carry ’em ovah ter Aun’ Becky’s. LUCY BELLE I know--but yo’ see-- CHICK Yo’ crazy ter stick yere--’less yo’ wan’ me ter hang ’roun’ an’ plug him fo’ yo’-- LUCY BELLE Nuffin’ like dat--! CHICK